Gelcoat Cutting Compound and Wax

Nina Lucia

Nina Lucia

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We are coming out this weekend for a scrub-off, any recommendations for a good quality gelcoat cutting compound and wax for the top sides? 3M?
 
I used the 3m perfect it medium cutting and wax liquid this year on a very heavily oxidised blue hull that was covered in the white powder and it came up really nice, you could see your reflection in it .5AEA06AC-70C2-4CFD-9B01-2141990FA1D1.jpeg
 
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Shamaya said:
We are coming out this weekend for a scrub-off, any recommendations for a good quality gelcoat cutting compound and wax for the top sides? 3M?
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I use G10. 3M make equivalent which many get good results with.
Take care with that stripe, cutting polsih can smear that into the white!
 
One final comment I should have made is about the thickness of gel coat. Modern boats have 3 coats sprayed on, but traditionally it was applied by brush. The sprayed gel coat is about 0.5mm thick, whereas brushed is anout 1.5 to 2mm thick, except Westerly always applied a double coat and is 2 to 3mm thick.
 
White socks said:
I used the 3m perfect it medium cutting and wax liquid this year on a very heavily oxidised blue hull that was covered in the white powder and it came up really nice, you could see your reflection in it .View attachment 115284
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I ca see more than the photographer's reflection in it. There is a large image of a face in the background. (Or an image of a large face.)
 
At VicS's excellent suggestion, I went at a very matt-ed dinghy last year with 1500 grade wet and dry, followed by 2000 grade. It worked beautifully and was very quick and easy.
 
There is obviously a choice of compounds, all of which work, in slightly different ways. Whatever differences exist probably depends as much on the user as the stuff. I use whatever I can get, currently Fareclas G3 with a lambswool pad on a rotary drill, and a housepland spray to wet it, but it is only the HR blue line that needs it.

Sometimes I follow this with Starbrite Colour Restorer polish applied by hand, otherwise an ordinary wax/polish, usually a solid one because it is quicker than faffing around with a bottle. At the end I apply International Wax Sealant, which gives a better shine and lasts a bit longer.
 
That 3M medium cut and wax is the mutt’s nuts. Did a 34’ and a 30’ inc cabin tops, cockpit etc this year with one bottle and there’s still a little left. And it really works. Small areas, work quickly, top notch.
 
KevO said:
That 3M medium cut and wax is the mutt’s nuts. Did a 34’ and a 30’ inc cabin tops, cockpit etc this year with one bottle and there’s still a little left. And it really works. Small areas, work quickly, top notch.
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3M solid wax smells gorgeous but I haven't seen it around lately.
 
johnalison said:
There is obviously a choice of compounds, all of which work, in slightly different ways. Whatever differences exist probably depends as much on the user as the stuff. I use whatever I can get, currently Fareclas G3 with a lambswool pad on a rotary drill, and a housepland spray to wet it, but it is only the HR blue line that needs it.

Sometimes I follow this with Starbrite Colour Restorer polish applied by hand, otherwise an ordinary wax/polish, usually a solid one because it is quicker than faffing around with a bottle. At the end I apply International Wax Sealant, which gives a better shine and lasts a bit longer.
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I also use the International Wax Sealer as the final part of the process after the polishing , keeps the hull very clean and easy to apply.
 
The Farecla range for gelcoat is their Profile range.
After giving it a really good wash, I used
  • Profile Select Liquid Compound with lambswool compounding pad; then
  • Profile Finish Liquid Compound with wool polishing pad, followed by
  • Gtecniq C1 sealer
    It was more than a weekend's work though.
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Watched a guy polishing his cabin sides with a buffer and product.. was hard work.
He then got out a bottle of collinite no 870. It's a cleaner wax for marine and aeronautical use. He used a cloth and rubbed it on a oxidised area of the cockpit combing then just polished it off by hand leaving a shiny finish.
Wow, who needs a buffer!
I have some collinite car wax, which is also suitable for boat hulls, furniture and many other applications.
 
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